Jim has been in Texas since January 1st. He planned to come back to Michigan the past two weekends, but decided to hold off until he could stay for longer than just a Saturday and Sunday. (As you might have guessed, his idea is to coordinate his trip back home with a working stint in the old Troy office so the company will spring for his airfare.) Instead of just sitting around waiting for that to happen, Jacob and I agreed that we were eager to see the new carpet and staircase (and Jim, of course) at the Houston house, so we decided to drive down there. We packed up the CRV with lots of stuff that we needed at the southern homestead, and hit the road on Friday. Our intention was to travel to Richie's parent's house in southeast Missouri to spend the night, and then continue to Houston on Saturday. As luck would have it, a major winter storm raged across the central United States beginning Thursday afternoon, putting a real snag into our itinerary.
I spent most of Thursday on the internet checking weather and traffic sites, and talking to my handy-dandy meteorologist son. Adam helped me figure out the location and timing of the storm. It was fairly massive. It was racing across Oklahoma towards the east coast, dropping freezing rain and 6 to 10 inches of snow everywhere in its path. We assumed that there would be a better chance for the roads to be cleared sooner to the west, so we canceled our stay with Richie's folks. After all was said and done, we stayed in St. Louis on Friday night (north of the storm), then continued to Houston via southwest Missouri on Saturday. Although there was snow on the ground from St. Louis all the way until we hit the Texas border, the interstate freeways were absolutely clear and dry. So, despite ominous warnings on every department of transportation website, we used our intuition and assumed that the southerners were simply overreacting. And they were - big time. I do understand that, yes, they are not used to heavy snowfalls, and, yes, they are not equipped to handle winter weather as well as we are up north. But to recommend that people stay off of the "dangerous, treacherous, and impassible roads & freeways" when they were completely clear was a bit much. If these folks were in charge of roadways in northern states, people would never get anything done all winter long because they would be encouraged to stay home each time more than an inch of snow fell. Well, now that I think about it, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing after all!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Condo Wars
As many of you know, Jim and I have been searching for a small condo to purchase since last August. We have been surprised that so many of the ones that we liked have been snapped up by buyers almost as soon as they hit the market. It is disappointing to us to find a unit that we think is perfect, only to be told that it is already "under contract" or "sold." We have been shut out about thirty times already! Plus, we have also put offers on five available ("active" in real estate lingo) condos, only to be too late or outbid. Are there really that many people in southeast Michigan buying homes? And, in particular, are that many people looking for exactly the same type of real estate that we desire? Apparently, the economy in Michigan is not as terrible as I thought. At least not in the buying and selling of condominiums in our area. Hopefully, the market will be booming just as much when we decide to sell our much-sought-after condo sometime in the future.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Crisis Averted
Adam was recently assigned some very interesting homework in his Instrumentation for Atmospheric and Space Sciences class. Using two tiny "iButton" thermometers, his task was to measure temperature changes during several different operations. The information would be transferred from the thermometers onto a computer, then Adam would subsequently analyze the data.
For one of the experiments, Adam left a thermometer in his car outside overnight and another in my vehicle parked inside the garage. He pushed one into a half gallon of ice cream, then left the ice cream out of the freezer to see how long it would take for it to reach room temperature. He set an "iButton" in his bathroom while he showered. He secured one onto the bottom of his laptop computer. He ran another through the dishwasher cycle. And taped yet another one onto a lightbulb.
Mostly to humor me, I think, Adam let me place one of the thermometers in a sock and run it through my washing machine and dryer. I tied the top of the sock shut and tossed it into the washer with a load of clothes. When the laundry was ready to go into the dryer, I checked to make sure that the sock was still tightly fastened. The sock was indeed tied shut, but, much to my surprise, the thermometer was not inside. It was then that I noticed an "iButton" sized hole in the bottom of the sock.
I immediately panicked, thinking that I had quite possibly lost some pricey University of Michigan scientific research equipment. I first checked all of the wet laundry, hoping that the thermometer had inadvertently found its way into a shirt sleeve or a pair of pants. Nothing. I felt underneath the agitator in the washing machine. Nothing. I pulled the washer away from the wall and undid the drainage hose to peek in there. Nothing. (Except water.) I tested the other "iButton" to see if it was small enough to fit down the laundry tub drain, and I was greatly comforted to discover that it was too big. The thermometer had to be somewhere in the washing machine - but where? I called Jim. I talked to Richie. I yanked at the agitator some more, certain that the mini thermometer was most likely wedged beneath it. I went through the clothes again, praying that I had just missed it the first time around. I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to tell Adam that not only was my spectacular washing machine idea a failure, but I had misplaced an "iButton" as well. I picked up the towels that I had set aside to dry later, and the thermometer fell to the floor. I have not been that relieved in a long time!
The pile of towels in which the "iButton" was hiding. I did get to do some dusting behind the washing machine while I had it pulled out from the wall.
Here is what the little bugger looks like, sitting next to an old pencil for size comparison.
For one of the experiments, Adam left a thermometer in his car outside overnight and another in my vehicle parked inside the garage. He pushed one into a half gallon of ice cream, then left the ice cream out of the freezer to see how long it would take for it to reach room temperature. He set an "iButton" in his bathroom while he showered. He secured one onto the bottom of his laptop computer. He ran another through the dishwasher cycle. And taped yet another one onto a lightbulb.
Mostly to humor me, I think, Adam let me place one of the thermometers in a sock and run it through my washing machine and dryer. I tied the top of the sock shut and tossed it into the washer with a load of clothes. When the laundry was ready to go into the dryer, I checked to make sure that the sock was still tightly fastened. The sock was indeed tied shut, but, much to my surprise, the thermometer was not inside. It was then that I noticed an "iButton" sized hole in the bottom of the sock.
I immediately panicked, thinking that I had quite possibly lost some pricey University of Michigan scientific research equipment. I first checked all of the wet laundry, hoping that the thermometer had inadvertently found its way into a shirt sleeve or a pair of pants. Nothing. I felt underneath the agitator in the washing machine. Nothing. I pulled the washer away from the wall and undid the drainage hose to peek in there. Nothing. (Except water.) I tested the other "iButton" to see if it was small enough to fit down the laundry tub drain, and I was greatly comforted to discover that it was too big. The thermometer had to be somewhere in the washing machine - but where? I called Jim. I talked to Richie. I yanked at the agitator some more, certain that the mini thermometer was most likely wedged beneath it. I went through the clothes again, praying that I had just missed it the first time around. I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to tell Adam that not only was my spectacular washing machine idea a failure, but I had misplaced an "iButton" as well. I picked up the towels that I had set aside to dry later, and the thermometer fell to the floor. I have not been that relieved in a long time!
The pile of towels in which the "iButton" was hiding. I did get to do some dusting behind the washing machine while I had it pulled out from the wall.
Here is what the little bugger looks like, sitting next to an old pencil for size comparison.Sunday Update: While attempting to remove the data from one of the iButton thermometers today, Adam discovered that the battery was dead, and it had not recorded the dishwasher and laundry experiments. His professor has offered to extend his due date. Sigh.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Making Waves
Jim has been in Texas since January 1st. The contractor that began his 7-to-10-day job at our house down there on November 30 is still hard at work. Jim reports that our new staircase is coming along beautifully, albeit slowly. It is a good thing the carpenter is not charging us by the hour!
Our in-ground pool in Houston has been the biggest money pit that we have encountered with our southern real estate purchase so far. The first problem we discovered was that the automatic timer on the pool filter was broken. The timer is important for us because we want the pump to go on and off even when we are not in town. Next, we noticed that the light in the hot tub did not work. Then, the "Polaris," our motorized pool vacuum, needed its hose shortened. After a few more issues and repairs on the filter, we were certain that our pool was finally in great shape. That is, until Jim found a leak in an underground pipe that was actually causing our brick-paver patio to sink. We have a wonderful pool guy, Greg, who feels sorry for us each time we uncover a new obstacle. In fact, he spoke with our realtor and also encouraged us to contact the people who sold us the house because, in his opinion, these issues all existed before we bought the place. (Not to mention a little saline vs. chlorine matter . . . ) Jim, with Greg's assistance, is currently working on getting the sellers to pitch in some money towards our pool debt, and things are looking promising for some reimbursement. It is frustrating that we have had to spend thousands of dollars on a pool into which we have never even dipped our toes! The temperatures have warmed up significantly in Houston this week, and those of us with northern blood think it is fine weather for swimming! Upper 70s in January - woohoo! Hope to try out the new and improved pool soon.
Our in-ground pool in Houston has been the biggest money pit that we have encountered with our southern real estate purchase so far. The first problem we discovered was that the automatic timer on the pool filter was broken. The timer is important for us because we want the pump to go on and off even when we are not in town. Next, we noticed that the light in the hot tub did not work. Then, the "Polaris," our motorized pool vacuum, needed its hose shortened. After a few more issues and repairs on the filter, we were certain that our pool was finally in great shape. That is, until Jim found a leak in an underground pipe that was actually causing our brick-paver patio to sink. We have a wonderful pool guy, Greg, who feels sorry for us each time we uncover a new obstacle. In fact, he spoke with our realtor and also encouraged us to contact the people who sold us the house because, in his opinion, these issues all existed before we bought the place. (Not to mention a little saline vs. chlorine matter . . . ) Jim, with Greg's assistance, is currently working on getting the sellers to pitch in some money towards our pool debt, and things are looking promising for some reimbursement. It is frustrating that we have had to spend thousands of dollars on a pool into which we have never even dipped our toes! The temperatures have warmed up significantly in Houston this week, and those of us with northern blood think it is fine weather for swimming! Upper 70s in January - woohoo! Hope to try out the new and improved pool soon.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Two's Company, Three's a Crowd
Adam and ten of his Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences classmates flew off yesterday to Georgia. The eleven of them are in Atlanta to attend the American Meteorological Society's annual meeting and conference. On Sunday, Adam is presenting a poster pertaining to the ozone research that he has been doing for the past few years. The students will be able to view exhibits, listen to speakers, go to lectures, and mingle with meteorologists from around the country.
The six guys and five girls from U of M have been allotted two - yes, two - rooms at their downtown hotel. With all of their luggage, I'm sure that the regular double rooms are beyond crammed. Obviously, the college budget does not allow for too many "extras," but really, three rooms would have at least secured a pillow for each attendee. I wonder if the Wolverine football team places six players in one hotel room when they are on the road?
The six guys and five girls from U of M have been allotted two - yes, two - rooms at their downtown hotel. With all of their luggage, I'm sure that the regular double rooms are beyond crammed. Obviously, the college budget does not allow for too many "extras," but really, three rooms would have at least secured a pillow for each attendee. I wonder if the Wolverine football team places six players in one hotel room when they are on the road?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The Buck Stopped Here
I was sitting in the family room the other night when Jacob started calling to me from his room upstairs. His tone was loud and excited, so I ran to the stairway to try to decipher what he was bellowing about.
"There's a deer outside," he shouted breathlessly.
I ran to the window that overlooks our backyard and, sure enough, there was a doe standing about 20 feet away. Even though we have had our share of wildlife in our suburban neighborhood - like skunks, squirrels, rabbits, and even possums - I have never seen a deer. It was huge! The deer stood around for a while, then loped off through the unfenced yards. Jacob and I stared out the window for a few minutes and were delighted to see the doe return. Before long, it was joined by three other deer, who frolicked in our yard for quite a long time. We weren't able to take any pictures, though, because Jim has our camera in Texas. The next morning, Jacob did go outside and snap some shots of the snowy deer hoof-prints with his camera phone.
I have heard stories about how destructive deer can be to flowers, plants, and bushes - apparently even more so than rabbits! Since we will be moving soon, Jacob and I threw some apples into the backyard hoping to lure the deer back. We saw one deer the next night, but haven't spotted any after that. We do have Richie's camera poised and ready to shoot if a doe or buck decides to mosey on by again. Although the creatures are actually very beautiful, Jacob is a bit concerned that one might bound right through one of our picture windows, like a deer recently did at a local restaurant. With the way that birds fly into our doorwalls, I guess I wouldn't be all that surprised.
"There's a deer outside," he shouted breathlessly.
I ran to the window that overlooks our backyard and, sure enough, there was a doe standing about 20 feet away. Even though we have had our share of wildlife in our suburban neighborhood - like skunks, squirrels, rabbits, and even possums - I have never seen a deer. It was huge! The deer stood around for a while, then loped off through the unfenced yards. Jacob and I stared out the window for a few minutes and were delighted to see the doe return. Before long, it was joined by three other deer, who frolicked in our yard for quite a long time. We weren't able to take any pictures, though, because Jim has our camera in Texas. The next morning, Jacob did go outside and snap some shots of the snowy deer hoof-prints with his camera phone.
I have heard stories about how destructive deer can be to flowers, plants, and bushes - apparently even more so than rabbits! Since we will be moving soon, Jacob and I threw some apples into the backyard hoping to lure the deer back. We saw one deer the next night, but haven't spotted any after that. We do have Richie's camera poised and ready to shoot if a doe or buck decides to mosey on by again. Although the creatures are actually very beautiful, Jacob is a bit concerned that one might bound right through one of our picture windows, like a deer recently did at a local restaurant. With the way that birds fly into our doorwalls, I guess I wouldn't be all that surprised.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Boot Mystery
On Thursday, we received 4-5 inches of new snow on top of the inch or so that we already had on the ground at our house. Fortunately for me, Jacob has become quite proficient at using the snowblower, and I have not had to do much shoveling at all this winter. When he was bundling up to go outside to clear the driveway the other day, we could not find his boots. What we did have was one size 10 right boot and one size 8 left boot. We were certain that the solution to our puzzle was that Adam had accidentally taken Jacob's size 8 boot to his apartment thinking it was his size 10. We shot off a text to Adam and waited for his reply. In the meantime, Jacob found an older pair of boots to squeeze into to get the snowblowing done.
A while later, Adam sent us a message that made everything even more mind-boggling. He indeed had two different sized boots at his place, but they were a size 10 left and a size 9 right. Yes, now a size 9 had entered the equation. I searched high and low trying to find Jacob's other size 8 boot without success. We eventually came across the size 9 left boot and drove to Adam's apartment to swap his 10 for the 9. Jacob's feet fit sufficiently enough into the 9s. I am an expert at losing single socks in the laundry, but I am really mystified as to what happened to the missing size 8 boot. Weird.
A while later, Adam sent us a message that made everything even more mind-boggling. He indeed had two different sized boots at his place, but they were a size 10 left and a size 9 right. Yes, now a size 9 had entered the equation. I searched high and low trying to find Jacob's other size 8 boot without success. We eventually came across the size 9 left boot and drove to Adam's apartment to swap his 10 for the 9. Jacob's feet fit sufficiently enough into the 9s. I am an expert at losing single socks in the laundry, but I am really mystified as to what happened to the missing size 8 boot. Weird.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Deep Freeze
The weather in Houston has been freakishly cold this winter. The forecast calls for temperatures to dip into the lower 20s this upcoming weekend! Typically, January temps range from highs in the 60s to lows around 45 degrees. The sub-freezing weather is wreaking havoc all over the south - ruining crops, icing roadways, causing accidents, creating problems for iguanas & other cold-blooded lizards, and killing tropical foliage; not to mention keeping pool owners on their toes. Since we are in the process of having our leaking pool pipe fixed, the pool guy has drained all the water from our exposed pipes and pumps, and, as a result, we will not have to keep our filter running to prevent it from freezing. Some of Jim's native Texan co-workers have complained about the unusually harsh conditions, which, honestly are not all that horrible. They are just not equipped to handle cold weather in Houston. For example, we have learned that our Texas house does not have nearly as much insulation as our Michigan home does, which makes it a bit chilly inside when the temps drop outside. Glad I am in my cozy-warm, well-insulated northern house tonight!
This flatbed truck came to our house in Michigan a few weeks ago to pick up the Civic. The car was taken to a shipping facility nearby, then transferred to a car hauler for the ride to Texas.
The Civic arrived safely at our Houston house last Saturday.
Our contractor has made quite a mess at the Texas house while working on our staircase.
Adam snapped a picture of our poor banana tree. Looks rather lifeless.
This flatbed truck came to our house in Michigan a few weeks ago to pick up the Civic. The car was taken to a shipping facility nearby, then transferred to a car hauler for the ride to Texas.
The Civic arrived safely at our Houston house last Saturday.
Our contractor has made quite a mess at the Texas house while working on our staircase.
Adam snapped a picture of our poor banana tree. Looks rather lifeless.Saturday, January 2, 2010
Misadventures in Texas
Jim and Adam flew off to Houston yesterday morning. I booked them on a 1 p.m. flight so they would get to Texas in time to watch the Rose Bowl game later in the afternoon. (Certainly Jim's idea, not Adam's!) Naturally, their plane encountered mechanical problems before it even left the gate and they were more than an hour late departing Detroit.
Shortly after we had bought the new house in Houston, we hired a contractor to redesign our staircase. He began what was supposed to be a 7-to-10 day assignment on November 30. As it ends up, the carpenter is a very slow and meticulous worker, and has been on the job ever since. Normally this wouldn't be a huge problem, but we scheduled for new carpeting to be installed on the 4th. (Which is one of the reasons that Adam is down there with Jim - the two of them are pulling up the old carpet this weekend and Ad is going to sit at the house while the installers are there on Monday.) Anyway, the contractor informed us via email last week that the staircase was 90% complete. Imagine our surprise when Jim and Adam walked into the house yesterday and found the job only about half done. Now Jim will not be able to paint the staircase as planned before the carpet is put down. On the bright side, however, the installers will not have to contend with any pesky railings on the stairway as they lay the new carpeting.
Jim also had to contact our pool guy in Houston because the automatic vacuum was not working in our swimming pool when he and Adam arrived at the house. In addition, they discovered a puddle of water in the backyard, and assume that there is a leaking underground pipe somewhere in the pool filtration system. Jim has been a little bit frustrated with all of the complications that he has encountered in the one day that he has been at the Texas house, but I'm sure everything will work out in the long run. He did report that while my favorite banana tree is still brown and withered, it does seem to have some new green growth at the bottom. Hopefully that can be salvaged!
Shortly after we had bought the new house in Houston, we hired a contractor to redesign our staircase. He began what was supposed to be a 7-to-10 day assignment on November 30. As it ends up, the carpenter is a very slow and meticulous worker, and has been on the job ever since. Normally this wouldn't be a huge problem, but we scheduled for new carpeting to be installed on the 4th. (Which is one of the reasons that Adam is down there with Jim - the two of them are pulling up the old carpet this weekend and Ad is going to sit at the house while the installers are there on Monday.) Anyway, the contractor informed us via email last week that the staircase was 90% complete. Imagine our surprise when Jim and Adam walked into the house yesterday and found the job only about half done. Now Jim will not be able to paint the staircase as planned before the carpet is put down. On the bright side, however, the installers will not have to contend with any pesky railings on the stairway as they lay the new carpeting.
Jim also had to contact our pool guy in Houston because the automatic vacuum was not working in our swimming pool when he and Adam arrived at the house. In addition, they discovered a puddle of water in the backyard, and assume that there is a leaking underground pipe somewhere in the pool filtration system. Jim has been a little bit frustrated with all of the complications that he has encountered in the one day that he has been at the Texas house, but I'm sure everything will work out in the long run. He did report that while my favorite banana tree is still brown and withered, it does seem to have some new green growth at the bottom. Hopefully that can be salvaged!
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